Iceland

01Why Travel to Iceland?

Iceland is an open-air geological laboratory. Sitting on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this island of fire and ice concentrates on a territory a quarter the size of France a density of natural phenomena unique in the world: active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, waterfalls and lava deserts coexist in magnificent chaos.

But Iceland is also a Viking culture preserved for over a thousand years, a vibrant music and literary scene (the country publishes more books per capita than any other), natural hot springs at every turn in the road, and a population of 380,000 living in harmony with the forces of nature. Here, elves have a place in urban planning and volcanoes have names nobody can pronounce.

02The Must-Sees of Iceland

The Golden Circle

Iceland’s most famous route can be completed in a day from Reykjavik. Þingvellir (Thingvellir), a UNESCO site, is where the world’s first parliament was founded (930) and where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly drift apart. Geysir — the original geyser that gave its name to all others — is dormant, but its neighbour Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes to a height of 30 metres. Gullfoss (the “golden waterfall”) plunges into a canyon in two spectacular cascades.

The South Coast

Route 1 heading south-east passes some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Seljalandsfoss (you can walk behind the curtain of water), Skógafoss (60 m of raw power with a guaranteed rainbow), the black sand beach of Reynisfjara with its basalt columns and dangerous waves, the village of Vík beneath its glacier — every stop is a masterpiece.

Further on, the glacial lagoon of Jökulsárlón is a mesmerising spectacle: immense blue-tinted icebergs break away from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and drift slowly towards the ocean. Diamond Beach, right next door, where stranded ice blocks glitter on the black volcanic sand, is one of Iceland’s most photographed landscapes.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Nicknamed “Iceland in miniature”, the Snæfellsnes peninsula packs every Icelandic landscape into 90 km: the Snæfellsjökull volcano-glacier (made famous by Jules Verne in Journey to the Centre of the Earth), Kirkjufell mountain (Iceland’s most photographed), bird cliffs, mossy lava fields and tiny fishing villages. Two days are enough to tour it.

The North: Akureyri and Mývatn

Northern Iceland offers radically different landscapes from the south. Akureyri, the “capital of the North” (19,000 inhabitants), is an ideal base for exploring the region. Lake Mývatn and its geothermal zone (natural baths, pseudo-craters, Dimmuborgir lava formations), the horseshoe waterfall of Goðafoss, and Dettifoss — the most powerful waterfall in Europe — make the detour worthwhile.

The Westfjords

Iceland’s most isolated and least visited region is also its wildest. The Westfjords offer vertiginous cliffs (Látrabjarg, Europe’s largest bird cliff), deserted golden sand beaches (Rauðasandur), the natural hot spring of Reykjafjarðarlaug, and absolute solitude. Only 10% of tourists venture here — all the more reason to go.

03Hot Springs in Iceland

Bathing in a natural hot spring is the quintessential Icelandic experience. Beyond the famous Blue Lagoon (spectacular but very touristy and expensive), Iceland is brimming with authentic alternatives. The Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik, the Mývatn baths, the hot river of Reykjadalur (30 min hike to reach it), and dozens of wild hot pots scattered across the countryside.

• Blue Lagoon: the iconic one, milky turquoise water in a lava field. Booking essential, from €75
• Sky Lagoon: in Reykjavik, infinity pool with ocean views, more intimate and design-led
• Reykjadalur: free natural hot river, 30 min walk from Hveragerði
• Mývatn Nature Baths: the northern alternative to the Blue Lagoon, turquoise water and lake views, cheaper and less crowded

04Getting Around Iceland

Iceland is a road trip country. The Route 1 (Ring Road) circles the entire island in 1,322 km — allow 7 to 10 days minimum. A rental car is virtually essential. A 4x4 is needed for the Highlands (F-roads), the Westfjords in winter, and some interior tracks.

• Car: the number one choice. A sedan is sufficient for the Ring Road in summer. 4x4 for F-roads and winter
• Campervan: very popular. Well-equipped camper with heating is a must! Happy Campers, Go Campers, Kuku Campers
• Bus: Strætó covers main routes. Reykjavik Excursions for organised tours
• Domestic flights: Icelandair Connect links Reykjavik to Akureyri (45 min) and the Westfjords
• Ferry: Herjólfur to the Westman Islands (30 min from Landeyjahöfn), Baldur to the Westfjords

05Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Iceland Cost?

Iceland rivals Norway for the title of Europe’s most expensive destination. Budget €130 to €280 per day per person for a comfortable trip. But as in Norway, camping and supermarkets can significantly reduce the bill.

• Accommodation: camping 2,000–3,000 ISK/night, guesthouses 15,000–25,000 ISK, hotels 25,000–50,000 ISK. Farms offer good value
• Meals: hot dog (pylsur) 500 ISK, restaurant main 3,000–5,000 ISK. Bónus and Krónan are the cheapest supermarkets
• Transport: sedan rental 8,000–15,000 ISK/day, 4x4 20,000–35,000 ISK/day. Petrol is expensive (around 300 ISK/litre)
• Activities: Blue Lagoon 12,000 ISK, whale watching 12,000 ISK, ice cave 20,000–25,000 ISK, Silfra snorkelling 25,000 ISK
• Top tip: bring food from the duty-free shop at Keflavík airport on arrival — prices are much lower than in town

06When to Visit Iceland?

Iceland offers two radically different experiences depending on the season. Summer (June–August) brings the midnight sun, mild temperatures (10–15°C), access to all roads (including the Highlands) and migratory birds (puffins from May to August). It’s high season with the highest prices.

Winter (October–March) is the season for northern lights, ice caves (accessible only from November to March), fairy-tale snowy landscapes and steaming hot springs in the cold. Days are short (4–5 hours of light in December) but the atmosphere is magical. Spring and autumn offer a compromise with fewer tourists.

07Recommended Itineraries in Iceland

The Complete Ring Road (10–14 days)

Reykjavik → Golden Circle (1 day) → south coast: Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara, Vík (2 days) → Jökulsárlón and Diamond Beach (1 day) → East Fjords (1–2 days) → Mývatn, Dettifoss, Goðafoss (2 days) → Akureyri (1 day) → Snæfellsnes peninsula (2 days) → back to Reykjavik. The classic circuit that goes all the way around the island.

The South Express (5–7 days)

Reykjavik → Golden Circle (1 day) → south coast to Jökulsárlón (2–3 days) → return via the interior or the coast → Snæfellsnes (1–2 days) → Reykjavik. Ideal for a first trip or a short stay, covering the most spectacular sites.

Winter and Northern Lights (7 days)

Reykjavik and Blue Lagoon (1 day) → Golden Circle (1 day) → south coast: waterfalls and black beach (1 day) → ice cave at Vatnajökull (1 day) → Snæfellsnes in the snow (2 days) → aurora hunting (every evening!). In winter, the complete Ring Road is not recommended: focus on the south and west.

08Iceland Off the Beaten Path

Beyond the classics, Iceland hides little-known wonders. The Highlands, accessible only in summer by 4x4, offer Landmannalaugar (multicoloured mountains and hot springs), the Laugavegur Trail (55 km, 4 days) considered one of the world’s most beautiful treks, and the Askja caldera. Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, the secret hot springs of Hrunalaug and the Westman Islands (Heimaey, home to the world’s largest puffin colony) are worth the detour.

The Westfjords remain the wildest region: Hornstrandir (a nature reserve accessible only by boat, with no roads or electricity) is the ultimate Icelandic adventure. Discover all our destinations for more travel inspiration.